By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty adopted on Feb. 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. It was the first intergovernmental treaty of its kind in the world and took effect on Dec. 21, 1975.
The official name of the treaty, ``the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitats,'' reflects the original emphasis upon the conservation and wise use of wetlands primarily as a habitat for water birds. Once focusing on the specific issue, the convention has widened its scope of implementation to cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognizing wetlands as an important part of the ecosystem for biodiversity conservation and the well being of human communities.
Its mission has evolved into ``the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution toward achieving sustainable development throughout the world.''
The convention now has 158 contracting parties. As of now, a total of 1,814 wetlands around the world have been designated ``Ramsar sites.''
Korea, which signed the treaty in 1997, has placed eight wetlands on the Ramsar list ― Yong Wetlands in Inje, Gangwon Province; Upo Wetlands in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province; Jangdo Wetlands and tidal flats at Suncheon Bay and Muan, South Jeolla Province; Mulyeongari Orum Wetlands in Jeju; Mujechi Wetlands in Ulsan; and Duung Wetlands in South Chungcheong Province.
Obligations Under the Convention
There are four obligations imposed on contracting parties under the convention. The first obligation is for a party member to designate at least one wetland at the time of accession for inclusion on the Ramsar List and to promote its conservation and continue to designate suitable wetlands within its territory. Secondly, contracting parties are demanded to include conservation considerations in their national land-use planning to materialize the convention's motto of ``the wise use of wetlands.''
Third, member states are required to establish nature reserves in wetlands and promote training in the field of wetland research, management and wardenship. The last obligation is the cooperation among member states to preserve wetlands. Contracting parties should agree to consult with other member nations in regard to trans-boundary wetlands, shared water systems and shared species.
Body of Convention
The implementation of the Ramsar Convention is a continuing partnership between the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), the Standing Committee, and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat. The Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) and the International Organization Partners also offer a variety of advice and support to help the convention continue smoothly. The convention has also maintained partnership with five global non-governmental organizations ― BirdLife International, The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Wetlands International, The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and World Wide Fund for Nature International (WWF).
pss@koreatimes.co.kr
